Horner v. Hunt

1 Blackf. 213, 1822 Ind. LEXIS 30

• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Decided: November 6, 1822
• Status: Published

Opinions

Scott, J.

Horner brought a suit against Hunt on a promissory note, by which Hunt promised to pay Horner, two years after date, 750 dollars, with interest from the date if not paid within two weei£S afber a. legal demand. Judgment was rendered by default for the amount of the note, and interest from the date amountjng †0 j 29 dollars. On a subsequent day of the same term, the Court, on motion of the defendant, set aside this judgment, and rendered judgment for the amount of the note, and interest from the time the same became due amounting to 40 dollars. •

It was decided by this Court at the July term, 1820, in the case of Gully and another against Remy

(1), that a note payable at a certain day, and if not paid on the day then to bear interest from the date, is a good contract and the interest recoverable. On a re-examination of the case and authorities we are satisfied of the correctness of that decision. This case depends on the same principle. But the plaintiff claimed no more, in his declaration, than 100 dollars in damages. He could take no more than he claimed in his declaration (2). For this reason, the first judgment, as well as the last, is erroneous,

Ante, p. 69.

As to releasing the extra sum, where the jury give greater damages than the plaintiff declares for, vide Lambert v. Blackman, ante p. 59, and note 2. In debt on bond conditioned for the performance of covenants, the jury are not restricted to the damages laid. Payne v. Ellsey, 2 Wash. 143.